Football fans across the country will gather to watch America's most popular sporting event, Super Bowl 50, on February 7, 2016. With Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, the attorneys at The Martindale Law Group would like to join the masses in raising public awareness for a safe and fun Super Bowl!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Football League (NFL), and the Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition teamed up with local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind viewers that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. This 2016 Super Bowl campaign is urging partygoers and hosts alike to make the choice: Drink OR Drive. If you plan on drinking, plan a sober ride home in advance.Additional resources for a safe and fun Super Bowl 50:

The NHTSA is hosting a Twitter chat on Thursday February 4, 2016 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET. Follow the conversation using the hashtag #DontDriveDrunk.

The NHTSA’s SaferRide app is an additional tool to help keep drunk drivers off the roads, allowing users to call a taxi or a friend by identifying their location for pick-up.

Be responsible if you are hosting a party. Establish a drink limit or cutoff time. Understand that you can be held liable if someone you served alcohol to ends up in a drunk-driving crash.

Buckle up on your safe ride home! It will protect you against potential drink drivers on the road!

​Whether you are rooting for the Carolina Panthers or the Denver Broncos, remember that your personal safety always comes first! Cheers!

Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law has been in effect since January 1, 2013, however many Florida drivers are unaware of the coverage guidelines. The Martindale Law Group's car accident attorneys will help you seek justice and the compensation you deserve.

Here is what you need to understand the basics of the PIP insurance process:

​1. In order for PIP to cover your medical bills, you must seek medical treatment for auto injuries within 14 days of the accident.

2. You must be diagnosed with an emergency medical condition (EMC) in order to receive $10,000 of PIP benefits. (EMC definition: Serious jeopardy to patient health, impairment to bodily functions, and/or dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.)

3. If you are not diagnosed with an EMC, your PIP benefits are reduced to $2,500.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, The Martindale Law Group will be able to protect your rights by recovering PIP benefits and monetary damages. For more information, please contact our office at 407-897-8964, or complete our free case evaluation form today.

"Hoverboards," self-balancing motorized scooters, have hit the market as the hottest and most explosive holiday gift - literally. Currently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating a total of 22 fires in 17 states, 70 emergency room visits, as well as 2 lawsuits in the works.

Along with serious injuries to the consumers, major house fires have been reported from hoverboard explosions. The leading cause of these malfunctions are due to the cheap lithium ion batteries, which pose as fire hazards during charging as well as riding the hoverboard.

As a preventative measure, over 60 airlines have banned these combustible devices for both carry-on and checked-in luggage.

Viral videos of hoverboard "fails" can be found all over the web, warning users of the many hazards. While these viral videos are mostly made to make us laugh, it is imperative to be careful with these devices. Ultimately, the hoverboard is technology that has yet to be perfected. ​If you are somehow still inclined to purchase a hoverboard, we urge you to stick with big name manufacturers with higher prices.

If you or someone you know has experienced a hoverboard malfunction, causing damage of any sort, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Martindale Law Group today.

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! This week marks one of the busiest times of the year with families preparing for Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year! Whether you are shopping, cooking, wrapping, or lighting, The Martindale Law Group would like to remind our beloved friends and families the importance of holiday safety.

Here are our tips:

1. Cooking: What would the Holiday season be without home cooked meals? Here's our tips to stay safe in the kitchen this Holiday season.

Prevent burns and fires by being responsible around the kitchen. Don't leave appliances unattended, tie your hair back, roll up long sleeves, and keep an eye on children.

Christmas and Thanksgiving are the two leading days for house fires in the United States, so ensure your Smoke Alarms work prior to cooking.

2. Shopping:Still have last second Holiday shopping to take care of? Make sure to follow these important tips.

Remember to never leave a child or animal in a car when going shopping.

Make sure to lock your car, as the Holiday season is the most common time for burglary.

3. The Tree: The tree is an integral part of any Christmas, so make sure to follow these tips in order to keep your family safe.

The placement of the tree is key. Make sure to keep your tree far away from any potentially flammable objects, and never use lighted candles near trees.

If you are using an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled as fire resistant.

If your tree is natural, make sure it is watered well to avoid branches from drying and potentially catching on fire from the heat of light bulbs.

Try to find ornaments that are not easily breakable. Glass ornaments are quite common, but can injure someone if broken.

4. The Commute: Millions around the world commute home or to a friend's residence for the Holiday season. If you are housing guests, use these tips to ensure everyone's safety.

Be responsible with alcohol. If you have friends and family coming over, make sure they have a designated driver to ensure they get home safely. Alternatively, you can offer guests to stay the night in order to avoid drinking and driving.

Plan ahead. Traffic is almost guaranteed during the holiday season, so make sure you plan ahead. There is no need to speed or drive recklessly to get to your destination.

We hope these tips are useful for you and your family this Holiday season. From everyone here at the Martindale Law Group, we wish you a Happy Holidays and joyful New Year!

December marks the beginning of holiday festivities as well as the start of the winter season. That is why the attorneys at The Martindale Law Group would like to urge you to review some of our helpful winter driving tips below!

While Floridians do not typically experience severe winter weather conditions all season-long, it is essential to be aware of winter safety guidelines:

1. Prepare your car. Take your car in for a routine tune-up in order to keep your vehicle systems in-check. Know when to switch to proper winter tires if necessary.

2. Know how to avoid a crash, especially on slippery roads! Make sure to have the correct tires, know your brakes, be sure to accelerate slowly.

3. Pack for all weather conditions. Bring along warm jackets, winter boots, hats and gloves. Your car should also be equipped with a shovel, flashlight (with extra batteries), tow strap and jumper cables.

4. Keep your eyes open. While it is always important to be alert when driving, the holiday season brings heavy traffic patterns (and "snowbirds"), therefore increasing the likelihood of car accidents.

5. Learn how to properly implement a car seat, while also keeping your kids warm and safe this winter. Read more winter car seat tips here.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, fun, and food. One of the larger parts of the holiday is spent in the kitchen where the family comes together to cook up a meal for the traditional turkey feast. Whether you enjoy a classic turkey, a turducken, or tofurkey, the Martindale Law Group would like to remind you the importance of fire safety during this holiday season.

The National Fire Protection Association reported that in 2013, Thanksgiving Day was the leading date for home cooking fires with 1,550 fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Here are some cooking safety tips to remember for this Thanksgiving Holiday:

1. Stay in the kitchen and watch what you're cooking! Do not leave any burners, broilers, ovens, or fryers unattended, especially when on high heat! Use a timer and frequently check on what your cooking.

2. Watch out for long hair and sleeves! Prevent burns and fires by putting long hair back and wearing short or tight sleeves when cooking. Don't forget to use potholders and oven mitts for cookware!

3. Keep an eye on children! Keep children 3 feet away from the stove and any sharp kitchenware. While it is fun to include the kids in mixing the cake batter, it is essential they know what to stay away from in the busy kitchen.

​4. Make sure your smoke alarms are on and working! Don't forget to replace your batteries and push the "test" button to ensure safety.

For more fire safety tips contact your local fire department, or click here.

Distracted driving is a well known issue among drivers new and old. Some states even have laws prohibiting drivers from using their phones while driving. While the problem of distracted walking is a relatively new, each year, more individuals are injured as a result of texting, talking or listening to music on their phones. The problem of distracted walking is very real and serious. Unfortunately, there is no law that bans pedestrians from walking distracted.

When pedestrians fall victim to motor vehicle accidents, the end results are generally catastrophic. Unfortunately, many pedestrians suffer serious personal injury because some drivers don't understand or observe the rules of the road that govern the right of way at crosswalks, stoplights, stop signs or drivers who are speeding.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida ranks as the second most hazardous state in the U.S. for pedestrians. In 2011 the NHTSA reported that Florida accounted for 11% of all U.S. pedestrian fatalities and 17.4% of all U.S. bicycle fatalities.

It is essential that you do not let an insurance company take advantage of your pedestrian accident claim. They will try to settle the case for as little as possible, leaving pedestrian accident victims with monetary obligations for medical bills, vocational rehabilitation needs and psychological trauma. Our Pedestrians car accident attorneys at the Martindale Law Group will defend your rights and will help you pursue the rightful compensation.

Halloween is right around the corner! That means it's time to remind your trick-or-treaters about the little known facts and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and fun Halloween.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has consistently reported that Halloween is one of the primary times for pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Even more so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by an automobile on Halloween than any other day of the year.

With this knowledge, it is paramount that drivers and pedestrians alike assume the responsibility to be extra cautious on Halloween, this Saturday, October 31st.

Here are just a few safety tips to share with your family and friends this Halloween:

1. Parents: Designate an older sibling or friend to accompany younger kids. Be sure to send them with a cell phone and flashlights. Additionally, establish a safe route, which your children are familiar with, preferably close to home.

2. Motorists: Slow down! Especially in residential areas. Be sure to have your lights on and use the appropriate turn signals when needed. Please yield to pedestrians/trick-or-treaters!

3. Pedestrians / Trick-or-Treaters: Stay on your planned route, and don't stray from the sidewalks! Bring a cell phone and flashlight for extra safety and visibility. This would be a perfect time to have your personal safety apps on hand!

4. Party Animals: Please, be responsible, do not drink and drive! There are numerous ways around drunk driving, such as establishing a designated driver, calling an Uber/Lyft/Taxi, or calling AAA for their Tow To Go program (learn more here).

5. Ghouls & Goblins: Have a very safe and happy Halloween from the attorneys at the Martindale Law Group!

We are often asked exactly what car insurance coverage we recommend. Here are our recommendations. Feel free to copy this and tell your agent you want these coverages:

BI (Bodily Injury Liability): $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. This protects you if you cause an accident and injure someone else.

PD (Property Damage Liability): $50,000 per accident, but $100,000 is preferable if you can afford it. This protects you if you cause an accident and damage someone else's car or other property.​UM (Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Liability): THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT INSURANCE COVERAGE ON YOUR AUTO POLICY!!! Buy at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. This coverage protects you and your family if you're hit and injured by someone with no insurance or not enough insurance. This is very common so make sure you buy this coverage. I cannot stress this enough.

PIP (Personal Injury Protection or "No-Fault): $10,000 is required by Florida Law. This pays your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, subject to a co-pay percentage and possibly a deductible. I recommend against having a PIP deductible.